Lawyer Withdraws from Representing Mathipandile Sotheni in Marius Van Der Merwe Case

• The lawyer representing Mathipandile Sotheni in the Marius “Witness D” Van Der Merwe case has withdrawn from the case
• During his previous appearance, Sotheni told the court he did not know attorney Eric Bryer and never gave him instructions to act on his behalf
• Bryer is expected to formally withdraw at the next court appearance on 14 May 2026

GAUTENG —The lawyer representing Mathipandile Sotheni has reportedly written to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to withdraw from the case. Sotheni is the man accused of killing Marius “Witness D” Van Der Merwe

In a post on X, journalist Chriselda Lewis posted the letter sent by attorney Eric Bryer.

Bryer, who had been representing Sotheni, confirmed that he will need to officially withdraw during the next court appearance, scheduled for 14 May. However, an earlier appearance, possibly related to bail, could be expected.

The move follows Sotheni’s last court appearance, during which he stated that he did not know Bryer and had never given him instructions to act on his behalf.

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Sotheni refused to be represented by Bryer

During his previous appearance at the Brakpan Magistrates ' Court, not only did Sotheni deny his attorney, Eric Bryer, but he also denied killing Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D. Despite not being given permission to speak by the magistrate, Sotheni still addressed the court. He claimed that he wanted to assist the court, saying that he had nothing to do with the case.

Other Briefly articles on the Witness D murder case

• A newly formed special task team arrested a suspect believed to have been the gunmen in the Marius van Der Merwe murder. The task team had been established on the instruction of President Cyril Ramaphosa after he was presented with the Madlanga Commission’s interim report.
• Head of crime intelligence Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo admitted that it’s possible that some members of the police knew who was responsible for several high-profile murders in the country, including the Marius va der Merwe murder.
• IPID senior investigator Nomsa Masuku told the Madlanga Commission that DNA evidence linked to the December killing of “Witness D,” Marius van der Merwe, was collected not only at the scene but also from suspects tied to a Brakpan case dating back four years.
• Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stressed that the government takes witness safety seriously. She explained that the Department of Justice had offered protection to Witness D, but he declined.
• Wiandre Pretorius, who was implicated in Witness D’s testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, has died after allegedly taking his own life. The 41-year-old died from a gunshot wound at a petrol filling station in Brakpan on the East Rand.

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Shebeshxt parts ways with lawyer, Plans another bail application

Previously, Briefly News reported on the history of the man accused of killing Marius van der Merwe. 41-year-old Matipandile Sotheni is a former police officer with a background in the elite police unit. His previous legal fights with SAPS are now back in the spotlight as records show that he took his former employers to the labour court, alleging bullying and mistreatment by his superiors at the SAPS.

Source: Briefly News